News
Mohonasen staff urged to reflect, adapt as new school year begins
Sept. 8, 2010
The
2010-2011 school year has officially started for Mohonasen faculty
and staff, with a pair of superintendent’s conference days wrapping
up and students set to enter school doors tomorrow.
Teachers, administrators, teacher assistants, nurses, monitors, teacher aids, cafeteria staff, bus drivers and support staff gathered in the high school auditorium this morning for the district’s annual Opening Day. The group was greeted by Board of Education President Dominic Cafarelli and Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Spring – as well as other members of the board and administrative team.
In her remarks, Spring acknowledged that these are difficult times in public education – with challenges ranging from deep budget cuts to changing standards.
“I’m convinced we can work together as a team to get through these challenging years,” she said, talking about how important it is for people to be able to “rescript” and “adapt.”
“Attitude, belief and encouragement can make all the difference in the life of a child,” she said.
Spring told a story about her daughter, who, at a young age, was told by a doctor that she should probably forget about her love of rowing. But she didn’t give up and is now on the crew team at George Washington University in Washington D.C.
“We have the opportunity to mold lives and give the children we work with hope,” she said. “It may feel some days like a heavy burden – but I prefer to see it as an opportunity.”
Spring
was followed by
Jay Rifenbary, an author and motivational speaker from Saratoga
Springs. Rifenbary, whose book is entitled “No Excuses,” talked
about core values and how they should drive our decisions. He talked
about being accountable for our decisions and standing up for what we
believe in.
“What are the values that comprise us?” he asked. “Hopefully, day one, students know what those core values are.”
Rifenbary urged the audience to take a step back and reflect on what’s important. It’s not “stuff” he said, but rather how you treat people and how you conduct yourself – both personally and professionally.
“You teach best in life what you want to learn the most,” he said. “What if what you’re trying to prove everyday is not a reflection of who you are?”
Rifenbary said that if you make excuses for things – spend your time angry, sorrowful – you are wasting time and won’t move forward in your own life. What we all should do, he said, is focus on our core values and be honest with ourselves.
“Once you get through one obstacle, one tough year, what’s waiting for you?” he asked. “Another one.”
There are three questions we should all ask ourselves, Rifenbary said: What do you want to be remembered for? Why do people follow you? How do you motivate people?
“Ladies and gentleman,” he said. “The way you motivate people is to make them feel valued.”
Rifenbary asked everyone to forgive. By doing this, he said, you will save an enormous amount of energy. He also said that you should stop putting all of your expectations on everyone else.
“Try to lead other people to bring out the best in themselves,” he said. “Begin to be more accepting than expecting.”
